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Investigation

The key to a good and manageable investigation is to choose a topic of interest, then ask what is called a “testable question.” Testable questions are those that can be answered through hands-on investigation by the student. The key difference between a general interest science question and a testable question is that testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

Select a Life Science, Earth Science or Physical Science category below to be presented with starter investigations.

Select a category and investigation.

Scientific Question
A scientific question can be answered through an investigation.

What is tested?
Scientists call this an independent variable. This is the one thing the investigator chooses to change.

What stays the same?
A variable that is not changed, and stays the same, is called a constant.

Animals

(14 Ideas)

How does size affect the breathing rates of tropical fish?

What is tested? Size of fishWhat stays the same? Species of fish, time interval for observationData collected: Average number of times different sized fish open and close their mouths over a given time period

Which conditions attract the most insect pests (mosquitos, flies, gnats)?

What is tested? Conditions (e.g. dark or light clothing, sweet smelling or fragrance free plants, lactic acid/sweat)What stays the same? Time of day, length of time observedData collected: Number of insect pests attracted to condition

What conditions affect the sleep of domesticated puppies?

What is tested? Conditions (e.g. ticking alarm clock, classical music, large stuffed dog, etc.)What stays the same? Species of puppy, age of puppyData collected: Amount of time it takes puppy to fall asleep

What type of food and feeder will attract the most cardinals?

What is tested? Bird food and feeder typeWhat stays the same? Location, time of yearData collected: Number of cardinals attending each type of bird feeder with different foods at a specified time each day

How does moisture affect the tunneling ability of ants?

What is tested? Sand (dry and moist), Soil (dry and moist), Clay (dry and moist)What stays the same? Number of ants; type of closed observatory; temperature, light, foodData collected: Time it takes for ants to build a tunnel

How does photo-editing affect perception?

What is tested? Photo-editing techniques (e.g. lighting change, cropping, expanding a picture) What stays the same? Original pictureData collected: Participants perceptions of how a picture makes them feel

How do different types of movement activity affect human heart rate?

What is tested? Activity (e.g. walking vs.running, etc.)What stays the same? Same person or people in each trial, starting heart rate, exercise route, temperature)Data collected: Heart rate of the person(s)

How does air moisture affect healing time of a stuffy nose?

What is tested? Type of moisture (e.g. cool mist, warm mist, no mist), hours of mist (e.g. 2 hrs., 8 hrs.) What stays the same? Age of participants, time onset of stuffy noseData collected: Cleansing of nasal passage over time

What conditions improve bread yeast growth?

What is tested? Water temperature, nutrient amount (sugar), nutrient type (type of sugar or other nutrient)What stays the same? Container size and shape, amount of water, type of yeast, amount of yeast Data collected: Height of foam in container

How does weather affect mood?

What is tested? Weather (e.g. rainy, sunny, cloudy, cool, hot) What stays the same? Age of participants Data collected: Participants daily responses (3-4 weeks) to survey question: On a scale of 1-5 How do you feel today (Participants should complete survey prior to being told that it is about weather.)

Which method is best for melting icy pavement?

What is tested? Materials (e.g. types of salt, sand, kitty litter mixtures), methods: e.g amount of time material sits on ice, crushing ice before putting on ice melting material, etc.) What stays the same? Thickness of ice, temperature of air and ice Data collected: Amount of ice after 10 min and 20 min.

How do different liquid solutions with varying pH levels affect rocks?

What is tested? Type of solution (e.g. vinegar, water, or mixture) What stays the same? Rocks tested (be sure to include chalk), amount of liquid Data collected: Effect on rock (e.g. bubbles or no bubbles)

What factors are best to grow sugar crystals?

What is tested? Temperature OR saturation (how much was dissolved in the water) What stays the same? Type of crystal, amount of water, temperature Data collected: Mass of crystals, number of crystals, length of time to form crystals

Do major earthquakes cause minor earthquakes nearby?

What is tested? Location of major earthquakes (e.g. check national geological service data) What stays the same? Distance from the major earthquake, time period, earthquake magnitude Data collected: Number of minor earthquakes that occur nearby during the time period

Space

(3 Ideas)

How do fins on a rocket affect its flight?

What is tested? Size of fins What stays the same? Shape and number of fins, fin placement, type and size of rocket, propulsion system (amount of push), air movement, temperature, launch site Data collected: Distance the rocket flies or trajectory (how straight the rocket flies)

How do fins on a straw rocket affect its flight?

What is tested? Size, shape and number of fins What stays the same? Type and size of rocket, propulsion system (amount of push), air movement, temperature, launch site Data collected: Distance the rocket flies or trajectory (how straight the rocket flies)

How does the angle of impact affect patterns observed in falling water balloons?

What is tested? Angle (e.g. straight 90 degree vs. angled 45 degree) What stays the same? Size of water and procedures for making water balloon, force, height of drop Data collected: Pattern observed at impact site

How does temperature affect a magnet’s strength?

What is tested? Temperature of magnet What stays the same? Type, shape, and size of magnet, type of thermometer, placement of thermometer on the magnet Data collected: Magnet’s ability to hold an object

What materials conduct heat the best?

What is tested? Spoons made of different materials What stays the same? Amount of water, temperature of the water and air, amount of butter attaching a bead indicator to each spoon Data collected: Time it takes for heat to rise up the spoon causing the butter to melt and the bead indicator to detach from the spoon

Which type of microwave popcorn pops the best?

What is tested? Brand of microwave popcorn What stays the same? Time in microwave, microwave power level, container, position in microwave Data collected: Percentage of popcorn popped (number of popped kernels compared to number of unpopped
kernels)

Which brand of paper towels is the strongest when wet?

What is Tested? Brand of Paper Towels What Stays the Same? Amount of weight tested on each towel, size and position of paper towel Data Collected: Amount of weight it takes for the paper towel to break

Kids Workshops

Kids Workshops provide a mix of skill-building, creativity, and safety for future DIYers every month in Home Depot stores across the country. After registering for the next Workshop, download these exclusive extension activities from Discovery Education. Each extension provides opportunities to reimagine or use their Workshop creation in an unexpected new way.

Fire Plane

About the Partnership
The Home Depot and Discovery Education have joined forces to help STEAM-power classrooms and homes across the country as students prepare for the careers of tomorrow. With 10 million students from grades K-12 participating in science fairs and STEAM events every year, Science Fair Central aims to give students the tools to take their projects to the next level.